Newtown Action AlliancePress Releases

On Friday, a gunman used his father’s shotgun and a .38 revolver to kill 10 students and educators and injure others in Santa Fe High School in Texas. We send our love to the Santa Fe community and we encourage Santa Fe community leaders to reach out to us to access our resource folder created to support communities that have experienced similar mass shooting tragedies.

The Newtown Action Alliance applauds and thanks Bank of America Corp. for making a commitment to no longer lend money to gun companies that manufacture military-style assault weapons for civilian use in an effort to help reduce the number of mass shootings in America.

We are families, survivors and advocates directly impacted by gun violence in America, writing to you with our most heartfelt gratitude. From the bottom of our hearts, we thank you for flexing your corporate muscle to take a stand against the gun violence epidemic that plagues far too many American schools, communities, churches, malls, movie theaters, and city streets.

On Valentine’s Day, 17 students and educators were brutally murdered by a 19-year-old gunman who was legally able to purchase a Smith & Wesson M&P15 assault rifle. Once again, House Speaker Paul Ryan has offered up his thoughts and prayers and has refused to allow a vote on any and all gun control legislative proposals that would prevent these mass shooting tragedies, gun suicides and everyday gun violence in America.

After the deadly Aurora, Sandy Hook, San Bernardino, Orlando, Las Vegas, Sutherland mass shootings, the U.S. Congress took no action to keep all citizens safe from weapons of war and now 17 families from Parkland have been devastated by another senseless and preventable act of gun violence.

Dear Governor Rick Scott, Senate President Joe Negron, House Speaker Richard Corcoran, and Senate Judiciary Chairman Greg Steube: We send you our thoughts and prayers for the loss of your constituents to another heartbreaking mass shooting incident in the State of Florida. Your state is now the home of the two deadliest mass shooting incidents in modern U.S. history.

We send our love, support and prayers to the students, staff, first responders and community members of Parkland, Florida, who have been impacted by the devastating school shooting yesterday. Here in Newtown, we endured a similar day of terror due to a gunman with an AR-15 and high capacity magazines – weapons that belong in wars and not in the hands of civilians.

A joint press conference will be held to implore the U.S. House of Representatives to oppose the Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act of 2017, the “arm anyone” bill, the egregious NRA proposal that would effectively allow states with the weakest gun laws to supersede gun laws in states like Connecticut and California with the strongest gun laws in the nation.

We are a group of families and survivors directly impacted by all forms of gun violence in America. Last week, the House Judiciary Committee passed the Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act of 2017, a proposal that would make it legal for more dangerous and untrained people to carry loaded, hidden guns in more public places.

Our hearts are broken for the families impacted by the worst mass shooting in Texas history. We send our love and support to the community of Sutherland Springs. We know firsthand that the road to recovery and healing for the community will be long and difficult.

On Monday, we woke up to the largest mass shooting in modern American history. This demands the greatest response in American history. First, we send thoughts and prayers to the families of those slain and injured. We send thanks to the emergency, law enforcement, and medical personnel, who rushed to save lives. And we thank so many in Las Vegas who helped with blood donations, food, water and comfort to those affected by this horrifying tragedy.

Our hearts are broken for the families of the 58 victims who have been senselessly massacred and over 500 victims who have been injured. There is a long road ahead for the Las Vegas community and the families who have been directly impacted by this horrendous act of domestic terrorism. We send our love and support.

Once again, the Newtown Foundation and the Newtown Action Alliance (with support from Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence, Everytown Survivor Network, Faiths United to Prevent Gun Violence, Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America, Organizing for Action, States United to Prevent Gun Violence, St Marks Episcopal Churchand Women's March on Washington) are planning a series of events in Washington D.C. in December leading up to the 5th anniversary of the Sandy Hook tragedy to honor of ALL victims of gun violence and survivors.

This morning, gun violence touched the lives of Congressional members and their staff on a baseball field. According to the Gun Violence Archive, today’s tragic shooting is the 153rd mass shooting incident in the U.S. since January. Our thoughts and prayers are with the House Majority Whip Steve Scalise, congressional staffers and police officers who were shot this morning. We are hoping all will recover quickly from the gunshot wounds.

We implore you to pull Megyn Kelly’s interview with Sandy Hook conspiracy theorist Alex Jones on June 18th on Father’s Day. The brutal and fatal shootings of 20 children and six educators here in our neighborhood elementary school in Sandy Hook on December 14, 2012 are a matter of fact. It was one of the most devastating events in the history of Newtown and one of the worst school shootings in America. This tragic incident of gun violence shattered our hearts and devastated our community.

Lieutenant Governor Northam is a staunch advocate for the gun violence prevention movement. As a state senator, Northam stood with the Virginia Tech survivors to courageously support common sense gun safety laws in the Commonwealth of Virginia, and his commitment to gun violence prevention and the Virginia Tech families has not wavered.

The 240 Congressional House members who approved H.R. 1181 yesterday voted to make America less safe. In February, the Republican majority in the House rushed to weaken the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) by preventing the Social Security Administration (SSA) from providing a list of 75,000 SSA beneficiaries with severe mental illness to NICS.Then yesterday, the Republicans rushed a vote to wipe out 174,000 veterans and military service members who have been deemed “mentally incompetent” by the Veterans Administration (VA) Secretary from our background check system.

After the Sandy Hook shooting, we traveled to Washington D.C. numerous times with hundreds of heartbroken families directly impacted by gun violence. For the last four years, we implored Congress to take action to end gun violence in our nation. The majority of Republican Senators incessantly argued that guns do not play a role in gun violence. They repeatedly told us to focus on mental illness and the enforcement of existing gun laws to tackle gun violence. Regrettably, their words were only meaningless platitudes.

It’s a sad day for all school children, educators, and parents in America. The majority of Republican members of the U.S. Senate confirmed an unqualified billionaire who supports the NRA’s “guns in schools” agenda. Betsy DeVos nor any of her children attended public schools and she is not an educator. She has not been forced to oversee lockdown drills for potential active shooting situations in classrooms. We will work vehemently to oppose the NRA’s efforts to put guns in our schools to protect our children.

Newtown Action Alliance strongly condemns the House of Representatives’ passage of House Joint Resolution 40 (H.J.Res.40): Providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Social Security Administration relating to Implementation of the NICS Improvement Amendments Act of 2007, which prohibits the Social Security Administration (SSA) from reporting information to the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS).

Newtown Action Alliance is a proud partner of the Women’s March on Washington. On Donald Trump’s first day as President of the United States, over 200,000 women, men and children will be marching near the U.S. Capitol (Independence Avenue and Third Street NW) on January 21st and over 600 sister marches are being held in all 50 states and in nearly 60 countries around the globe with nearly 1.4 million participants.

A press conference to inform the public about the current state of gun violence in the U.S. and to demand action on gun violence prevention. It will take place the morning after the 4th Annual National Vigil for All Victims of Gun Violence at St. Marks Episcopal Church, commemorating the fourth anniversary of the tragic shootings at Sandy Hook Elementary School, as well as the 400,000 American victims and survivors of gun violence since December 2012.

From the very outset of her campaign, Secretary Clinton has elevated the conversation on gun violence prevention to the national level. Again at the final presidential debate, she reaffirmed her support for the Second Amendment and reasonable regulations to keep Americans safe from gun violence. In stark contrast, Donald Trump has embraced the corporate gun lobby to a degree never seen in presidential elections.

The Senate has failed to protect innocent Americans from gun violence since a gunman with severe mental illness killed 20 innocent children and six educators in an elementary school in Sandy Hook, Connecticut.

Along with the obvious choice Americans have in the race for President, there are some critically important U.S. Senate and House races that could make the difference between true progress on common sense gun violence prevention or more of the same where Congress sits idle while 100,000 Americans are being killed or injured by guns every year.

Governor Hassan has led in the difficult fight against the gun lobby in New Hampshire. She has twice vetoed legislation that would have allowed individuals to carry weapons without a license. In the Senate, she has pledged to strengthen the National Criminal Background Check System to prevent terrorists and other dangerous individuals from purchasing guns online and at gun shows. Governor Hassan released the following statement after President Obama announced his Executive Actions on gun safety: “While these measures are no substitute for meaningful Congressional action, the safety of our families and communities cannot wait any longer as Congress fails to act. With a staggering number of mass shootings over the past year, it is long past time for Washington to take action to address these senseless acts of gun violence.”

Over 400,000 Americans have been killed or injured by guns since a gunman with severe mental illness killed 20 innocent children and six educators in an elementary school in Sandy Hook, Connecticut. Representative Sensenbrenner and other members of House of Representatives who are in the pockets of the corporate gun lobby with an A-rating from the NRA, have shamefully blocked all votes on all gun safety measures to reduce the scourge of gun violence in our nation. It’s time for Americans to elect candidates who will take action on the House floor on Capitol Hill.

After the tragic mass shooting in Orlando where 49 people were killed and 53 injured by a gunman with an assault weapon in a gay nightclub, Jason Hayes, a celebrity hairdresser from New Jersey, is organizing the #DisarmHate 2016 Rally on Saturday, August 13th in Washington D.C. to push for LGBTQ rights and realistic gun reform. Reverend Al Sharpton, Founder and President, National Action Network, Randi Weingarten, President, American Federation of Teachers and Martin Luther King, III will hold a unity rally at the NRA office in Washington D.C. on August 27th, to commemorate the historic anniversary of the March on Washington---highlighting the need for reform and to make ALL communities safe from gun violence.

After the tragic mass shooting in Orlando where 49 people were killed and 53 injured by a gunman with an assault weapon in a gay nightclub, Jason Hayes, a celebrity hairdresser from New Jersey, is organizing the #DisarmHate 2016 Rally on Saturday, August 13th in Washington D.C. to push for LGBTQ rights and realistic gun reform. Reverend Al Sharpton, Founder and President, National Action Network, Randi Weingarten, President, American Federation of Teachers and Martin Luther King, III will hold a unity rally at the NRA office in Washington D.C. on August 27th, to commemorate the historic anniversary of the March on Washington—highlighting the need for reform and to make ALL communities safe from gun violence.

If you’re anything like me, you spend a good amount of time each day impulsively checking Facebook and Twitter while acting like you’re paying attention to your friends, family and work. Meaningful, face-to-face interactions are out. Witty, poignant and impassioned tweets and posts that preach to the choir are in. And in an age where algorithms tend to favor posts that express opinions you agree with, having a good-old-fashioned, respectful argument with someone you disagree with seems to be an increasingly rare occurrence.

Newtown Action Alliance released the following statement in response to the tragic police shootings in Baton Rouge, Louisiana and Falcon Heights, Minnesota; and the shooting of the 11 police officers at a protest in Dallas, Texas.

The families of victims killed in the 2012 Sandy Hook massacre are still being harassed by "truthers" who claim the horrific incident never took place and dead children didn't exist.Staunch US gun enthusiasts began a campaign of denial aimed at the families of those who lost loved ones just two days after the December 14, 2012 Connecticut massacre where Adam Lanza murdered 20 first graders and six teachers with an assault rifle.

At least 50 people were killed and more than 50 others were injured by an assault rifle at a gay nightclub in Orlando last night – which is sadly, now the largest and deadliest mass shooting in American history. We are holding an impromptu vigil to support the Orlando community and to stand against hatred and gun violence. We encourage everyone to bring a sign and a candle.

We applaud Judge Barbara Bellis’s ruling to allow the Sandy Hook families their day in court. The devastating and senseless shooting that occurred on December 14, 2012 at Sandy Hook Elementary School, demonstrates that AR-15s and other military-style assault rifles should not be marketed or sold to civilians. Civil litigation and access to courts are important levers that been used to hold corporations accountable for their harmful business practices. The gun industry must also be held accountable for its harmful business practices that took the innocent lives of 20 children and six educators in an elementary school.

This week, the National Shooting Sports Foundation heads to Washington, D.C., where executives associated with the Connecticut-based corporate gun lobby will meet with its followers in Congress to ensure the industry’s interests and profits remain a legislative priority over the safety of the American people.

Our community is still reeling from the tragic shooting that occurred on December 14, 2012. Therefore, we are shocked and enormously disappointed that a middle school teacher from Newtown would bring his gun onto school property yesterday. The school administrators and the Newtown Police Department were able to respond efficiently and effectively to this difficult situation, due to the school’s strict policy prohibiting guns on school property and the fact that carrying a gun on school property is a felony according to Connecticut State Law.

The senseless shooting that killed 20 children and six educators at Sandy Hook Elementary School on December 14, 2012, shattered millions of hearts across the nation. This day of terror mobilized a group of grieving citizens from Newtown to work to transform the community tragedy into meaningful action to end gun violence in our nation.

Will be holding the 3rd Annual National Vigil for All Victims of Gun Violence in commemoration of the third anniversary of the Sandy Hook Elementary School tragedy, as well as the 90,000 American victims of gun violence since December 2012. As of today, over 75 family members of victims of gun violence and survivors from cities and towns in 16 states are expected to attend the National Vigil in Washington D.C. A busload of community members from Newtown, including Trinity Episcopal Church Children’s Choir, will also be attending.

Roseburg comes nearly three years after Sandy Hook. How much has changed? Eric Milgram of the Newtown Action Alliance, political strategist L. Joy Williams, fmr. spokesperson for Pres. George H.W. Bush and New York University's Jeanne Zaino join to discuss.

The Kelly Report brings together Members of Congress, medical professionals and public health thought leaders to examine the root causes and impact of health disparities in America and provide a comprehensive set of legislative and policy recommendations to address them. Compiled by CBC Health Braintrust Chair Dr. Robin Kelly, the report is a call-to-action for Congress to make improving health outcomes in diverse communities a top priority.

Recently the Newtown Action Alliance was asked to contribute to The 2014 Kelly Report on Gun Violence in America, being released Wednesday, June 25th. The report is the first collaboration of its kind between Members of Congress, gun safety advocates, and public health/academic communities on the nation’s gun violence epidemic. It offers comprehensive legislative and policy solutions to the crisis. Po Murray, Chairwoman of Newtown Action Alliance, has been invited to attend a meeting on Capitol Hill the day of it’s release along with other contributors and stakeholders “to discuss implications of the report and effective actions that will help make our children and families safe from gun violence

Recently the Newtown Action Alliance was asked to contribute to The 2014 Kelly Report on Gun Violence in America, being released Wednesday, June 25th. The report is the first collaboration of its kind between Members of Congress, gun safety advocates, and public health/academic communities on the nation’s gun violence epidemic. It offers comprehensive legislative and policy solutions to the crisis. Po Murray, Chairwoman of Newtown Action Alliance, has been invited to attend a meeting on Capitol Hill the day of it’s release along with other contributors and stakeholders “to discuss implications of the report and effective actions that will help make our children and families safe from gun violence

All week, the videos of the father — red-faced and shouting, or speaking deliberately as tears streamed into his salt-and-pepper beard — made it seem as though Richard Martinez's anguish might turn him into the new face of the gun-control movement.

Eric Milgram doesn’t exactly have the typical résumé for a gun-control activist. Like millions of Americans, he grew up around firearms. He received his first shotgun at the age of 13. As a young man, he owned eight guns and was a member of the National Rifle Association. After moving to Newtown, Conn., in 2010, he set up a target behind his house and tried to teach his children to shoot. He was even contemplating buying an AR-15 semi-automatic rifle.

The Newtown Action Alliance (“NAA”) is a 100% volunteer based grassroots organization founded by Newtown residents in the weeks after December 14, 2012. The NAA works with other gun safety organizations towards safer schools, streets, towns, and cities. Members of the NAA travelled from Newtown, Connecticut to Washington, DC early this morning to attend this hearing and to meet with lawmakers to press for common sense measures that will reduce gun violence.

As members of the community of Newtown, Connecticut, we are writing you today because during our search for solace in wake of the events of last December it has come to our attention that your company continues to allow guns to be carried into its stores. Although we here in Newtown love our Starbucks, we are very concerned that your policy undermines the safety and wellbeing of our citizens.

The Senate Appropriations Committee approved its Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education, and Related Agencies Appropriations Bill on Thursday that includes $10 million for gun violence prevention research, $18.5 million for a National Violent Death Reporting System expansion and $119 million in new funding to increase access to mental health services. This includes a total of $95 million for the administration’s Now is the Time initiative.

Newtown Action Alliance urges the Senate Judiciary Committee to take action to prevent gun violence in our nation by voting in favor of B.Todd Jones as the Director of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF).

“The goal of the forum is address the question of “What’s Next?” that seems to be on everyone’s minds following the failure of Congress to implement common sense gun regulations that nearly 90% of the American public support”, according to Dave Ackert, Founder & Chairman of the Newtown Action Alliance.

The Newtown Action Alliance applauds Governor Malloy and our state legislators on both sides of the aisle for their leadership and hard work in producing a bipartisan bill that provides the most comprehensive gun safety regulations in the country without infringing on the rights of anyone to bear arms.

Today, The Newtown Action Alliance released a public service announcement (“PSA”) created by its Junior Chapter demanding that the United States Congress vote on proposed legislation designed to reduce gun violence. The PSA also urges other students, and adults to write letters to Congress demanding a vote.

Today, The Newtown Action Alliance released a public service announcement (“PSA”) created by its Junior Chapter demanding that the United States Congress vote on proposed legislation designed to reduce gun violence. The PSA also urges other students, and adults to write letters to Congress demanding a vote.

The Newtown Action Alliance, CT Against Gun Violence, and March For Change, will be at the State Capitol in the Old Judiciary Room on Friday, March 22, at 11 a.m., to host a press conference and deliver letters to legislative leaders from families of Newtown victims and survivors, United Physicians of Newtown, Newtown Federation of Teachers, and members of the clergy. The letters all ask for a vote on a strong and comprehensive gun safety package, including an up-or-down vote on a ban on the possession of high-capacity ammunition magazines.

Will be holding the 3rd Annual National Vigil for All Victims of Gun Violence in commemoration of the third anniversary of the Sandy Hook Elementary School tragedy, as well as the 90,000 American victims of gun violence since December 2012. As of today, over 75 family members of victims of gun violence and survivors from cities and towns in 16 states are expected to attend the National Vigil in Washington D.C. A busload of community members from Newtown, including Trinity Episcopal Church Children’s Choir, will also be attending.

Roseburg comes nearly three years after Sandy Hook. How much has changed? Eric Milgram of the Newtown Action Alliance, political strategist L. Joy Williams, fmr. spokesperson for Pres. George H.W. Bush and New York University's Jeanne Zaino join to discuss.

The Kelly Report brings together Members of Congress, medical professionals and public health thought leaders to examine the root causes and impact of health disparities in America and provide a comprehensive set of legislative and policy recommendations to address them. Compiled by CBC Health Braintrust Chair Dr. Robin Kelly, the report is a call-to-action for Congress to make improving health outcomes in diverse communities a top priority.

Action

Info

Sign up for our newsletters here so that you will know what activities are being planned, what progress is being made throughout the country in terms of legislation, campaigns to #EndGunViolence, and how you can lend a hand and a voice.

Name *

Name

First Name

Last Name

Email Address *

City *

We collect City and State to target specific districts across the nation.

State *

We respect your privacy. Your information will not be shared with any third party and you can unsubscribe at any time. We collect city and state information so that we may send customized actions to certain states.